Northern Ireland:Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice

Baroness Amos: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	The Government have received the first report from the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland, Kit Chivers. The report is on the management of sex offenders in Northern Ireland and has today been published.
	The Government warmly welcome this report which recognises the excellent work in this field being done by those agencies involved in public protection and identifies a number of areas for possible future development. I shall be considering very carefully the inspection's key recommendations. I have no doubt that the report will be of value in informing and reassuring the public about the steps already being taken to manage the risks posed by sex offenders in the community, and in helping managers and staff who are involved in this challenging area of work.

Hong Kong: Sino-British JointDeclaration

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The latest report on the implementation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong (Cm 6484) was laid before the House today and copies have been placed in the Library of the House. A copy of the report is also available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at www.fco.gov.uk. The report covers the period from 1 July to 31 December 2004 and includes a foreword by my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary. I commend the report to the House.

Iraq: Statement of Intent

Lord Bach: My right honourable friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Adam Ingram) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	On 14 February 2005, my honourable friend the Minister for Defence Procurement (Lord Bach) signed a statement of intent with the Secretary-General of the Iraqi Ministry of Defence which lays the foundation for co-operation on defence equipment matters in areas such as requirement definition, exchange of information, supplier identification, and the availability of commercial training.
	It is HM Government's aim to assist the Iraqi Government and Armed Forces to rebuild their country and to improve security and stability. In support of this, a non-legally binding statement of intent will be mutually beneficial for both Governments.
	All such activities in connection with potential defence exports continue to adhere fully to national and international export control obligations.
	Copies of the statement of intent will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Welfare Agencies

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My right honourable friend the Paymaster-General (Dawn Primarolo) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement
	In parliamentary Answers on 4 and 26 March 2003 and in letters to several honourable Members, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury explained changes that have been made to the rules governing the VAT treatment of state-regulated welfare agencies such as domiciliary care and independent fostering agencies. He explained that the changes would take effect from the date that the regulatory system and standards for welfare providers was implemented or, in the case of independent fostering agencies, on 1 April 2003. Following representations from a small number of businesses, Customs has issued a business brief clarifying the circumstances determining the time at which an agency becomes exempt. Copies are available in the House Library.